PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- It’s already been a busy season for respiratory viruses in the US and Avera Medical Group Pierre Physician Assistant Jenna Schiefelbein (shuffle-bine) says early indicators don’t show it slowing down before the end of the year.

Schiefelbein recommends getting a flu shot to lessen the severity of the symptoms, should you contract the flu.

Schiefelbein says there’s a reason this time of year is known as cold and flu season.

Health officials say 7.5% of outpatient medical visits during the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 20-26, 2022) were due to flu-like illnesses. That’s as high as the peak of the 2017-18 flu season and higher than any season since.